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Eight cases of duplication of the inferior vena cava are reported. Three of these bear witness to the errors of interpretation that may be committed when the anomaly is not initially detected in the ultrasonographic transverse sections and when no preliminary phlebography is available. Two other cases illustrate the influence of this duplication on the choice of the prophylactic surgical treatment of pulmonary embolism. The last clinical observation indicates the need to puncture both the femoral veins when performing iliocaval phlebography. Finally, two observations on the cadaver help to clarify the imaging appearances of this anomaly. The report concludes with a review of the classical anatomic and pathogenic concepts and a short discussion of the practical problems posed by duplication of the inferior vena cava.

We report the case of a 29-yr-old woman who first presented an aseptic meningitis at the beginning of a pregnancy. She was admitted one month later with headaches and vomiting. Panhypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data suggested the existence of lymphocytic infundibulohypophysitis, with inflammation of the suprasellar area. No new symptoms were noticed until 6 months later when this patient pointed out troubles of the visual field, due to a compression of the optic chiasma. Three boluses of 1 g methylprednisolone were prescribed, with no effects. After delivery, the defects of the visual field increased. A neurosurgical intervention was decided. Diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) was made. We concluded that this patient presented a rupture of a RCC, which occurred at the beginning of pregnancy, associated later with panhypopituitarism with diabetes insipidus, due to a probable hypophysitis. The end of the pregnancy was marked by consequences of an increased volume of the RCC. To our knowledge, this case is the first described during pregnancy.